Customer Reviews

Jackie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist

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The story of Jackie Ormes is unique that she was female cartoonist at
time when that field was solely male. Secondly Jackie Ormes was an
African American in a field predominately white. With two strikes
against her, what does Ms. Ormes do but hit a home run. She was a
timely and politically correct artist who kept herself and her work
contemporary and relevant with her African American community at a
time when they were neglected in the mainstream white papers. Jackie's
work was artistically well done with dialogue and a story line to keep
her readership ready to read the next issue.

The research done by the author Nancy Goldstein was thorough and
the writing keeps the reader's interest focused without losing a beat
page after page.

I wish that someone would publish her columns in a single volume
so that today's readers could get a feel for this talented artist
who needs to be recognized for her consistent and her ground breaking
work that would allow other female artists to follow in her foot-
steps. I highly recommend this scholarly book to anyone interested
in the field of writing, cartoon artwork, and in African American
history.

Nancy Goldstein has struck gold with this biography of Jackie Ormes. Ormes is a Black cartoonist who drew cartoons for Black newspapers during the 1940's and 50's. She also made a foray into early Black doll production.
Goldstein writes about the tribulations of Ormes and her contemporaries making satire during a time of repression, belittlement, bigotry, and official investigations. Through it all, she shows that Ormes continued to raise the consciousness of African-Americans despite their hardships.
This book is a must-read for any students of Black history.
Larry Bush

This is a welcome addition to Black History literature, especially during Black History month. For those who espouse getting rid of this annual celebration, the Jackie Ormes book is testimony to the continued need to learn more about blacks from the past whose lives would be forgotten without diligent authors and researchers determined not to let black talents disappear. The Ormes biography is well written, fully illustrated, and inclusive of historical data about Ormes's family and the geographic areas where she and her family lived. Readers also learn about the effects of politics on the entertainment and journalism industries of the Ormes eras. It is a certainty that many readers old enough to remember E. Simms Campbell and the "Jess Be Simple" columns had never heard of Jackie Ormes. It would be a disgrace to have gone through life not knowing about such a charismatic and talented artist.

As graphic novels continue to gain respect in the literary world, there is a corresponding renaissance of interest in cartoonists of the past.

How fitting that a work about Ormes would also manage to be both engaging and educational.

Please read the rest of the review on Indigo Editing's blog:
http://www.indigoediting.blogspot.com/

A fascinating history of a little-known female cartoonist. That she enjoyed some success mid-20th century as an African American cartoonist is noteworthy. Well researched biography.

What a great book! Jackie Ormes not only made history but created and drew some wonderful characters as well.

This is a well thought out book which gives us enough information to keep us interested but not enough to bore us to tears. Good job!

From her birth to the birth of her art, Jackie seemed destined to draw and create. It was fortunate for all of us that she was able to practice her art and creativity in a such a way that overshadowed that fact that she was an African American Woman in a time when it mattered and was held against her.

Now we can read and see some of her triumphs and give praise where it's due.

If you enjoy the history of comics or cartoons, this is a must have book.